Playback Devices and Bonded Zones

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate configuration and naming of a multimedia playback device on a local playback network are disclosed. An example method includes identifying and analyzing local network topology to identify playback device(s) connected to the network at location(s). The example method includes analyzing a playback device to be added and comparing the playback device to be added to the playback device(s) already connected to the network. The example method includes displaying available option(s) to name the playback device to be added based on the analysis of the network, the already connected playback device(s) and the playback device to be added to the network. The example method includes naming the playback device to be added based on a selected available option.

CROSS-REFEERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/378,453, filed on Apr. 8, 2019, and currently pending; U.S.application Ser. No. 16/378,453 is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 15/872,983, filed on Jan. 16, 2018, and issued as U.S. Pat.10,257,035 on Apr. 9, 2019; U.S. application Ser. No. 15/872,983 is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/090,153, filed on Apr. 4,2016, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,871,696 on Jan. 16, 2018; U.S.application Ser. No. 15/090,153 is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/341,245 filed Dec. 30, 2011, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,344,292 on May 17, 2016. The entire contents of the Ser. Nos.16/378,453; 15/872,983; 15/090,153; and 13/341,245 applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to consumer electronics and, moreparticularly, to identifying one or more devices on a playback datanetwork.

BACKGROUND

Technological advancements have increased the accessibility of musiccontent, as well as other types of media, such as television content,movies, and interactive content. For example, a user can access audio,video, or both audio and video content over the Internet through anonline store, an Internet radio station, an online music service, anonline movie service, and the like, in addition to the more traditionalavenues of accessing audio and video content. Demand for such audio andvideo content continues to surge. Given the high demand, technology usedto access and play such content has likewise improved. Local playbacknetworks can be configured with one or more playback devices to accessand play such audio and video content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technologyare better understood with regard to the following description, appendedclaims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of an example system in which embodimentsof the methods and apparatus disclosed herein can be implemented;

FIG. 2A shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and speakers;

FIG. 2B shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and connected to external speakers;

FIG. 2C shows an illustration of an example zone player connected to anA/V receiver and speakers;

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of an example controller;

FIG. 4 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example zoneplayer;

FIG. 5 shows an internal functional block diagram of an examplecontroller;

FIG. 6 shows an example ad-hoc playback network; and

FIGS. 7-9 show flow diagrams of example methods to identify or name aplayback device in a playback network.

In addition, the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating exampleembodiments, but it is understood that the present disclosure is notlimited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

Wired or wireless networks can be used to connect one or more multimediaplayback devices for a home or other location playback network (e.g., ahome music system). Certain examples provide automatic configuration ofparameters of a playback device to be coupled to a network with reducedor minimum human intervention. For example, a wired and/or wirelessad-hoc network is established to facilitate communications among a groupof devices. Devices and/or groups of devices (also referred to herein aszones) can be associated with a name, identifier, group of names, groupidentifier, and so on.

Certain embodiments provide simplicity, modularity, and control of amultimedia playback network. Certain embodiments provide various optionsfor a user to add and/or name a new player and/or zone to a multimediaplayback system regardless of a number of different configurationoptions that exist due to the flexible/modular nature of the multimediasystem. In certain examples, a user can start with one device and expandvia one or more configuration options. In certain examples, playbackdevices can be paired to each other, grouped, and/or added to a zone.Such a zone having more than one player may be referred to as a bondedzone. In certain embodiments, certain input made by the user and/or theenvironment in which the playback device resides helps drill down thename and/or use of the player and/or zone.

Although the following discloses example systems, methods, apparatus,and articles of manufacture including, among other components, firmwareand/or software executed on hardware, it should be noted that suchsystems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture are merelyillustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, itis contemplated that any or all of these firmware, hardware, and/orsoftware components could be embodied exclusively in hardware,exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combinationof hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the followingdescribes example systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles ofmanufacture, the examples provided are not the only way(s) to implementsuch systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at leastone example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible mediumsuch as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on, storing the softwareand/or firmware.

Reference herein to “embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentcan be included in at least one example embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of this phrase in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separateor alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Assuch, the embodiments described herein, explicitly and implicitlyunderstood by one skilled in the art, can be combined with otherembodiments.

Certain embodiments provide a method to identify a device connected to aplayback network. The example method includes identifying and analyzinga local playback network topology to identify one or more playbackdevices connected to the network at one or more locations. The examplemethod includes analyzing a playback device to be added to the networkand comparing the playback device to be added to the one or moreplayback devices already connected to the network. The example methodincludes displaying one or more available options to name the playbackdevice to be added based on the analysis of the network, the one or morealready connected playback devices and the playback device to be addedto the network. The example method includes naming the playback deviceto be added to the network based on a selected available option. Theexample method includes facilitating configuration of playback devicesand the local playback network based on the name of the playback devicebeing added to the network.

Certain embodiments provide a computer readable storage medium includinginstructions for execution by a processor, the instructions, whenexecuted, cause the processor to implement a method to identify a deviceconnected to a playback network. The example method includes identifyingand analyzing a local playback network topology to identify one or moreplayback devices connected to the network at one or more locations. Theexample method includes analyzing a playback device to be added to thenetwork and comparing the playback device to be added to the one or moreplayback devices already connected to the network. The example methodincludes displaying one or more available options to name the playbackdevice to be added based on the analysis of the network, the one or morealready connected playback devices and the playback device to be addedto the network. The example method includes naming the playback deviceto be added to the network based on a selected available option. Theexample method includes facilitating configuration of playback devicesand the local playback network based on the name of the playback devicebeing added to the network.

Certain embodiments provide a system to configure one or more devices ona local playback network. The example system includes a processor and amemory, the memory storing instructions to be executed by the processor.The processor is configured to identify and analyze a local playbacknetwork topology to identify one or more playback devices connected tothe network at one or more locations; and analyze a playback device tobe added to the network and compare the playback device to be added tothe one or more playback devices already connected to the network. Theprocessor is configured to generate a user interface configured todisplay one or more available options to name the playback device to beadded based on the analysis of the network, the one or more alreadyconnected playback devices and the playback device to be added to thenetwork; facilitate naming of the playback device to be added to thenetwork based on a selected available option; and facilitateconfiguration of playback devices and the local playback network basedon the name of the playback device being added to the network.

II. Example Environment

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals can refer to likeparts throughout the figures, FIG. 1 shows an example systemconfiguration 100 in which one or more of the method and/or apparatusdisclosed herein can be practiced or implemented. By way ofillustration, the system configuration 100 represents a home withmultiple zones. Each zone, for example, represents a different room orspace, such as an office, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room,family room, home theater room, utility or laundry room, and patio.While not shown here, a single zone can cover more than one room orspace. One or more of zone players 102-124 are shown in each respectivezone. A zone player 102-124, also referred to as a playback device,multimedia unit, speaker, and so on, provides audio, video, and/oraudiovisual output. A controller 130 (e.g., shown in the kitchen forpurposes of illustration) provides control to the system configuration100. The system configuration 100 illustrates an example whole houseaudio system, though it is understood that the technology describedherein is not limited to its particular place of application or to anexpansive system like a whole house audio system 100 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show example illustrations of zone players 200-204.The zone players 200-204 of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, cancorrespond to any of the zone players 102-124 of FIG. 1. While certainembodiments provide multiple zone players, an audio output can begenerated using only a single zone player. FIG. 2A illustrates a zoneplayer 200 including sound producing equipment 208 capable of generatingsound or an audio output corresponding to a signal received (e.g.,wirelessly and/or via a wired interface). The sound producing equipment208 of the zone player 200 of FIG. 2A includes a built-in amplifier (notshown in this illustration) and speakers (e.g., a tweeter, a mid-rangedriver, and/or a subwoofer. In certain embodiments, the zone player 200of FIG. 2A can be configured to play stereophonic audio or monauralaudio. In some embodiments, the zone player 200 of FIG. 2A can beconfigured as a component in a combination of zone players to playstereophonic audio, monaural audio, and/or surround audio. As describedin greater detail below, in some embodiments, the example zone player200 of FIG. 2A can also transmit a second signal to, for example, otherzone player(s) in the same or different zone(s), speaker(s),receiver(s), and so on. Transmission of the second signal can be partof, for example, a system in which multiple zone players, speakers,receivers, and so on, form a network to, for example, present mediacontent in a synchronization or distributed manner.

The example zone player 202 of FIG. 2B includes a built-in amplifier(not shown in this illustration) to power a set of detached speakers210. The speakers 210 of FIG. 2B can include, for example, any type ofloudspeaker. The zone player 202 of FIG. 2B can communicate a signalcorresponding to audio content to the detached speakers 210 via wiredand/or wireless channels. Instead of receiving and generating audiocontent as in FIG. 2A, the zone player 202 of FIG. 2B receives the audiocontent and transmits the same (e.g., after processing the receivedsignal) to the detached speakers 210. Similar to the example zone player200 of FIG. 2A, in some embodiments the zone player 202 can transmit asecond signal to, for example, other zone player(s) in the same ordifferent zone(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), and so on.

The example zone player 204 of FIG. 2C does not include an amplifier,but allows a receiver 214, or another audio and/or video type devicewith built-in amplification, to connect to a data network 128 of FIG. 1and to play audio received over the data network 128 via the receiver214 and a set of detached speakers 216. In addition to the wiredcouplings shown in FIG. 2C, the detached speakers 216 can receive audiocontent via a wireless communication channel between the detachedspeakers 216 and, for example, the zone player 204 and/or the receiver214. In some embodiments the zone player 202 can transmit a secondsignal to, for example, other zone player(s) in the same or differentzone(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), and so on.

Example zone players include a “Sonos S5,” “Sonos Play:5,” “SonosPlay:3,” “ZonePlayer 120,” and “ZonePlayer 90,” which are offered bySonos, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. Any other past, present, and/orfuture zone players can additionally or alternatively be used toimplement the zone players of example embodiments disclosed herein. Azone player can also be referred to herein as a playback device, and azone player is not limited to the particular examples illustrated inFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. For example, a zone player can include a wired orwireless headphone. In other examples, a zone player might include asubwoofer. In yet other examples, a zone player can include a sound bar.In an example, a zone player can include or interact with a dockingstation for an Apple iPod™ or similar device. In some embodiments, azone player can relay one or more signals received from, for example, afirst zone player to another playback device. In some embodiments, azone player can receive a first signal and generate an outputcorresponding to the first signal and, simultaneously or separately, canreceive a second signal and transmit or relay the second signal toanother zone player(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), and so on. Thus, anexample zone player described herein can act as a playback device and,at the same time, operate as a hub in a network of zone players. In suchinstances, media content corresponding to the first signal can bedifferent from the media content corresponding to the second signal.

FIG. 3 shows an example illustration of a wireless controller 300 in adocking station 302. The controller 300 can correspond to thecontrolling device 130 of FIG. 1. The controller 300 is provided with atouch screen 304 that allows a user to interact with the controller 300,for example, to retrieve and navigate a playlist of audio items, controloperations of one or more zone players, and provide overall control ofthe system configuration 100. In certain embodiments, any number ofcontrollers can be used to control the system configuration 100. Incertain embodiments, there can be a limit on the number of controllersthat can control the system configuration 100. The controllers might bewireless like wireless controller 300 or wired to the data network 128.Furthermore, an application running on any network-enabled portabledevices, such as an iPhone™, iPad™, Android™ powered phone, or any othersmart phone or network-enabled device can be used as a controller byconnecting to the data network 128. An application running on a laptopor desktop PC or Mac can also be used as a controller. Examplecontrollers include a “Sonos® Controller 200,” “Sonos® Controller foriPhone,” “Sonos® Controller for iPad,” “Sonos® Controller for Android,“Sonos® Controller for Mac or PC,” which are offered by Sonos, Inc. ofSanta Barbara, Calif. The flexibility of such an application and itsability to be ported to a new type of portable device is advantageous.

Referring back to the system configuration 100 of FIG. 1, a particularzone can contain one or more zone players. For example, the family roomof FIG. 1 contains two zone players 106 and 108, while the kitchen isshown with one zone player 102. Zones can be dynamically configured bypositioning a zone player in a room or space and assigning via thecontroller 130 the zone player to a new or existing zone. As such, zonescan be created, combined with another zone, removed, and given aspecific name (e.g., “Kitchen”), if so programmed. The zone players 102to 124 are coupled directly or indirectly to a data network, such as thedata network 128 shown in FIG. 1. The data network 128 is represented byan octagon in the figure to stand out from other components shown in thefigure. While the data network 128 is shown in a single location, it isunderstood that such a network can be distributed in and around thesystem configuration 100.

Particularly, the data network 128 can be a wired network, a wirelessnetwork, or a combination of both. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe zone players 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to the data network 128based on a proprietary mesh network. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe zone players 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to the data network 128using a non-mesh topology. In some embodiments, one or more of the zoneplayers 102-124 are coupled via a wire to the data network 128 usingEthernet or similar technology. In addition to the one or more zoneplayers 102-124 connecting to the data network 128, the data network 128can further allow access to a wide area network, such as the Internet.

In certain embodiments, the data network 128 can be created byconnecting any of the zone players 102-124, or some other connectingdevice, to a broadband router. Other zone players 102-124 can then beadded wired or wirelessly to the data network 128. For example, a zoneplayer (e.g., any of zone players 102-124) can be added to the systemconfiguration 100 by simply pressing a button on the zone player itself,which enables a connection to be made to the data network 128. Thebroadband router can be connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP),for example. The broadband router can be used to form another datanetwork within the system configuration 100, which can be used in otherapplications (e.g., web surfing). The data network 128 can also be usedin other applications, if so programmed. Further, in certainembodiments, the data network 128 is the same network used for otherapplications in the household.

In certain embodiments, each zone can play from the same audio source asanother zone or each zone can play from a different audio source. Forexample, someone can be grilling on the patio and listening to jazzmusic via zone player 124, while someone is preparing food in thekitchen and listening to classical music via zone player 102. Further,someone can be in the office listening to the same jazz music via zoneplayer 110 that is playing on the patio via zone player 124. In someembodiments, the jazz music played via zone players 110 and 124 isplayed in synchrony. Synchronizing playback amongst zones allows forsomeone to pass through zones while seamlessly listening to the audio.Further, zones can be put into a “party mode” such that all associatedzones will play audio in synchrony.

In certain embodiments, a zone contains two or more zone players. Forexample, the family room contains two zone players 106 and 108, and thehome theater room contains at least zone players 116, 118, and 120. Azone can be configured to contain as many zone players as desired, andfor example, the home theater room might contain additional zone playersto play audio from a 5.1 channel or greater audio source (e.g., a movieencoded with 5.1 or greater audio channels). If a zone contains two ormore zone players, such as the two zone players 106 and 108 in thefamily room, then the two zone players 106 and 108 can be configured toplay the same audio source in synchrony, or the two zone players 106 and108 can be paired to play two separate sounds in left and rightchannels, for example. In other words, the stereo effects of a sound canbe reproduced or enhanced through the two zone players 106 and 108, onefor the left sound and the other for the right sound. In certainembodiments, paired zone players can play audio in synchrony with otherzone players.

In certain embodiments, three or more zone players can be configured toplay various channels of audio that is encoded with three channels ormore sound. For example, the home theater room shows zone players 116,118, and 120. If the sound is encoded as 2.1 channel audio, then thezone player 116 can be configured to play left channel audio, the zoneplayer 118 can be configured to play right channel audio, and the zoneplayer 120 can be configured to play bass frequencies. Otherconfigurations are possible and depend on the number of zone players andthe type of audio. Further, a particular zone can be configured to playa 5.1 channel audio in one instance, such as when playing audio from amovie, and then dynamically switch to play stereo, such as when playingaudio from a two channel source.

In certain embodiments, two or more zone players can be sonicallyconsolidated to form a single, consolidated zone player. A consolidatedzone player (though made up of multiple, separate devices) can beconfigured to process and reproduce sound differently than anunconsolidated zone player or zone players that are paired, because aconsolidated zone player will have additional speaker drivers from whichsound can be passed. The consolidated zone player can further be pairedwith a single zone player or yet another consolidated zone player. Eachplayback device of a consolidated playback device is preferably set in aconsolidated mode.

According to some embodiments, one can continue to do any of: group,consolidate, and pair zone players, for example, until a desiredconfiguration is complete. The actions of grouping, consolidation, andpairing are preferably performed through a control interface, such asusing controller 130, and not by physically connecting and re-connectingspeaker wire, for example, to individual, discrete speakers to createdifferent configurations. As such, certain embodiments described hereinprovide a more flexible and dynamic platform through which soundreproduction can be offered to the end-user.

Sources of audio content to be played by zone players 102-124 arenumerous. Music from a personal library stored on a computer ornetworked-attached storage (NAS) can be accessed via the data network128 and played. Internet radio stations, shows, and podcasts can beaccessed via the data network 128. Music services that let a user streamand download music and audio content can be accessed via the datanetwork 128. Further, music can be obtained from traditional sources,such as a turntable or CD player, via a line-in connection to a zoneplayer, for example. Audio content can also be accessed through AirPlay™wireless technology by Apple, Inc., for example. Audio content receivedfrom one or more sources can be shared amongst the zone players 102 to124 via the data network 128 and/or the controller 130. Theabove-disclosed sources of audio content are referred to herein asnetwork-based audio information sources. However, network-based audioinformation sources are not limited thereto.

The example home theater zone players 116, 118, 120 are coupled to anaudio information source such as a television 132. In some examples, thetelevision 132 is used as a source of audio for the home theater zoneplayers 116, 118, 120, while in other examples audio information fromthe television 132 can be shared with any of the zone players 102-124 inthe audio system 100.

III. Example Playback Device

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an example functional blockdiagram of a zone player 400 in accordance with an embodiment. The zoneplayer 400 of FIG. 4 includes a network interface 402, a processor 408,a memory 410, an audio processing component 412, a module 414, an audioamplifier 416, and a speaker unit 418 coupled to the audio amplifier416. FIG. 2A shows an example illustration of such a zone player. Othertypes of zone players can not include the speaker unit 418 (e.g., suchas shown in FIG. 2B) or the audio amplifier 416 (e.g., such as shown inFIG. 2C). Further, it is contemplated that the zone player 400 can beintegrated into another component. For example, the zone player 400could be constructed as part of a lamp for indoor or outdoor use.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the network interface 402 facilitates a dataflow between zone players and other devices on a data network (e.g., thedata network 128 of FIG. 1) and the zone player 400. In someembodiments, the network interface 402 can manage the assembling of anaudio source or file into smaller packets that are to be transmittedover the data network or reassembles received packets into the originalsource or file. In some embodiments, the network interface 402 canfurther handle the address part of each packet so that it gets to theright destination or intercepts packets destined for the zone player400. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, each of the packets includesan Internet Protocol (IP)-based source address as well as an IP-baseddestination address.

In some embodiments, the network interface 402 can include one or bothof a wireless interface 404 and a wired interface 406. The wirelessinterface 404, also referred to as an RF interface, provides networkinterface functions for the zone player 400 to wirelessly communicatewith other devices (e.g., other zone player(s), speaker(s), receiver(s),component(s) associated with the data network 128, and so on) inaccordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any of the wirelessstandards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15). Toreceive wireless signals and to provide the wireless signals to thewireless interface 404 and to transmit wireless signals, the zone player400 of FIG. 4 includes one or more antennas 420. The wired interface 406provides network interface functions for the zone player 400 tocommunicate over a wire with other devices in accordance with acommunication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3). In some embodiments, a zoneplayer includes both of the interfaces 404 and 406. In some embodiments,a zone player 400 includes only the wireless interface 404 or the wiredinterface 406.

In some embodiments, the processor 408 is a clock-driven electronicdevice that is configured to process input data according toinstructions stored in memory 410. The memory 410 is data storage thatcan be loaded with one or more software modules 414, which can beexecuted by the processor 408 to achieve certain tasks. In theillustrated embodiment, the memory 410 is a tangible machine readablemedium storing instructions that can be executed by the processor 408.In some embodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to retrieveaudio data from another zone player or a device on a network. In someembodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to send audio datato another zone player or device on a network. In some embodiments, atask might be for the zone player 400 to synchronize playback of audiowith one or more additional zone players. In some embodiments, a taskmight be to pair the zone player 400 with one or more zone players tocreate a multi-channel audio environment. Additional or alternativetasks can be achieved via the one or more software modules 414 and theprocessor 408.

The audio processing component 412 can include one or moredigital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, anaudio enhancement component or a digital signal processor, and so on. Incertain embodiments, the audio that is retrieved via the networkinterface 402 is processed and/or intentionally altered by the audioprocessing component 412. Further, the audio processing component 412can produce analog audio signals. The processed analog audio signals arethen provided to the audio amplifier 416 for play back through speakers418. In addition, the audio processing component 412 can includenecessary circuitry to process analog or digital signals as inputs toplay from zone player 400, send to another zone player on a network, orboth play and send to another zone player on the network. An exampleinput includes a line-in connection (e.g., an auto-detecting 3.5 mmaudio line-in connection).

The audio amplifier 416 is a device that amplifies audio signals to alevel for driving one or more speakers 418. The one or more speakers 418can include an individual transducer (e.g., a “driver”) or a completespeaker system that includes an enclosure including one or more drivers.A particular driver can be a subwoofer (for low frequencies), amid-range driver (middle frequencies), and a tweeter (high frequencies),for example. An enclosure can be sealed or ported, for example.

A zone player 400 can also be referred to herein as a playback device.An example playback device includes a Sonos® Play:5, which ismanufactured by Sonos, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. The Play:5 is anexample zone player with a built-in amplifier and speakers. Inparticular, the Play:5 is a five-driver speaker system that includes twotweeters, two mid-range drivers, and one subwoofer. When playing audiocontent via the Play:5, the left audio data of a track is sent out ofthe left tweeter and left mid-range driver, the right audio data of atrack is sent out of the right tweeter and the right mid-range driver,and mono bass is sent out of the subwoofer. Further, both mid-rangedrivers and both tweeters have the same equalization (or substantiallythe same equalization). That is, they are both sent the samefrequencies, just from different channels of audio. Audio from Internetradio stations, online music and video services, downloaded music,analog audio inputs, television, DVD, and so on, can be played from aSonos® Play:5. While the Play:5 is an example of a zone player withspeakers, it is understood that a zone player with speakers is notlimited to one with a certain number of speakers (e.g., five speakers asin the Play:5), but rather can contain one or more speakers. Further, azone player can be part of another device, which might even serve apurpose different than audio (e.g., a lamp).

IV. Example Controller

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an example controller 500, whichcan correspond to the controlling device 130 in FIG. 1. The controller500 can be used to facilitate the control of multi-media applications,automation and others in a system. In particular, the controller 500 isconfigured to facilitate a selection of a plurality of audio sourcesavailable on the network and enable control of one or more zone players(e.g., the zone players 102-124 in FIG. 1) through a wireless networkinterface 508. According to one embodiment, the wireless communicationsis based on an industry standard (e.g., infrared, radio, wirelessstandards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15). Further,when a particular audio is being accessed via the controller 500 orbeing played via a zone player, a picture (e.g., album art) or any otherdata, associated with the audio source can be transmitted from a zoneplayer or other electronic device to the controller 500 for display.

The controller 500 is provided with a screen 502 and an input interface514 that allows a user to interact with the controller 500, for example,to navigate a playlist of many multimedia items and to controloperations of one or more zone players. The screen 502 on the controller500 can be an LCD screen, for example. The screen 500 communicates withand is commanded by a screen driver 504 that is controlled by amicrocontroller (e.g., a processor) 506. The memory 510 can be loadedwith one or more application modules 512 that can be executed by themicrocontroller 506 with or without a user input via the user interface514 to achieve certain tasks. In some embodiments, an application module512 is configured to facilitate grouping a number of selected zoneplayers into a zone group and synchronizing the zone players for audioplay back. In some embodiments, an application module 512 is configuredto control the audio sounds (e.g., volume) of the zone players in a zonegroup. In operation, when the microcontroller 506 executes one or moreof the application modules 512, the screen driver 504 generates controlsignals to drive the screen 502 to display an application specific userinterface accordingly.

The controller 500 includes a network interface 508 that facilitateswireless communication with a zone player. In some embodiments, thecommands such as volume control and audio playback synchronization aresent via the network interface 508. In some embodiments, a saved zonegroup configuration is transmitted between a zone player and acontroller via the network interface 508. The controller 500 can controlone or more zone players, such as 102-124 of FIG. 1. There can be morethan one controller for a particular system. Further, a controller canbe integrated into a zone player.

It should be noted that other network-enabled devices such as aniPhone®, iPad® or any other smart phone or network-enabled device (e.g.,a networked computer such as a PC or Mac®) can also be used as acontroller to interact or control zone players in a particularenvironment. In some embodiments, a software application or upgrade canbe downloaded onto a network enabled device to perform the functionsdescribed herein.

In certain embodiments, a user can create a zone group including atleast two zone players from the controller 500. The zone players in thezone group can play audio in a synchronized fashion, such that all ofthe zone players in the zone group play back an identical audio sourceor a list of identical audio sources in a synchronized manner such thatno (or substantially no) audible delays or hiccups could be heard.Similarly, in some embodiments, when a user increases the audio volumeof the group from the controller 500, the signals or data of increasingthe audio volume for the group are sent to one of the zone players andcauses other zone players in the group to be increased together involume.

A user via the controller 500 can group zone players into a zone groupby activating a “Link Zones” or “Add Zone” soft button, or de-grouping azone group by activating an “Unlink Zones” or “Drop Zone” button. Forexample, one mechanism for ‘joining’ zone players together for audioplay back is to link a number of zone players together to form a group.To link a number of zone players together, a user can manually link eachzone player or room one after the other. For example, assume that thereis a multi-zone system that includes the following zones: Bathroom,Bedroom, Den, Dining Room, Family Room, and Foyer.

In certain embodiments, a user can link any number of the six zoneplayers, for example, by starting with a single zone and then manuallylinking each zone to that zone.

In certain embodiments, a set of zones can be dynamically linkedtogether using a command to create a zone scene or theme (subsequent tofirst creating the zone scene). For instance, a “Morning” zone scenecommand can link the Bedroom, Office, and Kitchen zones together in oneaction. Without this single command, the user would need to manually andindividually link each zone. The single command might include a mouseclick, a double mouse click, a button press, a gesture, or some otherprogrammed action. Other kinds of zone scenes can be programmed.

In certain embodiments, a zone scene can be triggered based on time(e.g., an alarm clock function). For instance, a zone scene can be setto apply at 8:00 am. The system can link appropriate zonesautomatically, set specific music to play, and then stop the music aftera defined duration. Although any particular zone can be triggered to an“On” or “Off” state based on time, for example, a zone scene enables anyzone(s) linked to the scene to play a predefined audio (e.g., afavorable song, a predefined playlist) at a specific time and/or for aspecific duration. If, for any reason, the scheduled music failed to beplayed (e.g., an empty playlist, no connection to a share, failedUniversal Plug and Play (UPnP), no Internet connection for an InternetRadio station, and so on), a backup buzzer can be programmed to sound.The buzzer can include a sound file that is stored in a zone player, forexample.

V. Example Ad-Hoc Network

Certain particular examples will now be provided in connection withFIGS. 6-8B to describe, for purposes of illustration only, certain basesystems and methods to provide and facilitate connection to a playbacknetwork. FIG. 6 shows that there are three zone players 602, 604 and 606and a controller 608 that form a network branch that is also referred toas an Ad-Hoc network 610. The network 610 may be wireless, wired, or acombination of wired and wireless. In general, an Ad-Hoc (or“spontaneous”) network is a local area network or other small network inwhich there is no one access point for all traffic. With an establishedAd-Hoc network 610, the devices 602, 604, 606 and 608 can allcommunicate with each other in a “peer-to-peer” style of communication,for example. Furthermore, devices may come/and go from the network 610,and the network 610 will automatically reconfigure itself withoutneeding the user to reconfigure the network 610.

Using the Ad-Hoc network 610, the devices 602, 604, 606, and 608 canshare or exchange one or more audio sources and be grouped to play thesame or different audio sources. For example, the devices 602 and 604are grouped to playback one piece of music, and at the same time, thedevice 606 plays back another piece of music. In other words, thedevices 602, 604, 606 and 608, as shown in FIG. 6, form a HOUSEHOLD thatdistributes audio and/or reproduces sound. As used herein, the termHOUSEHOLD (provided in uppercase letters to disambiguate from the user'sdomicile) is used to represent a collection of networked devices thatare cooperating to provide an application or service. An instance of aHOUSEHOLD is identified with a household 10 (or household identifier).

In certain embodiments, a household identifier (HHID) is a short stringor an identifier that is computer-generated to help ensure that it isunique. Accordingly, the network 610 can be characterized by a uniqueHHID and a unique set of configuration variables or parameters, such aschannels (e.g., respective frequency bands), SSID (a sequence ofalphanumeric characters as a name of a wireless network), and WEP keys(wired equivalent privacy or other security keys). In certainembodiments, SSID is set to be the same as HHID.

In certain embodiments, each HOUSEHOLD includes two types of networknodes: a control point (CP) and a zone player (ZP). The control pointcontrols an overall network setup process and sequencing, including anautomatic generation of required network parameters (e.g., WEP keys). Inan embodiment, the CP also provides the user with a HOUSEHOLDconfiguration user interface. The CP function can be provided by acomputer running a CP application module, or by a handheld controller(e.g., the controller 308) also running a CP application module, forexample. The zone player is any other device on the network that isplaced to participate in the automatic configuration process. The ZP, asa notation used herein, includes the controller 308 or a computingdevice, for example.

In certain embodiments, configuration of a HOUSEHOLD involves multipleCPs and ZPs that rendezvous and establish a known configuration suchthat they can use a standard networking protocol (e.g., IP over Wired orWireless Ethernet) for communication. In an embodiment, two types ofnetworks/protocols are employed: Ethernet 802.3 and Wireless 802.11g.Interconnections between a CP and a ZP can use either of thenetworks/protocols. A device in the system as a member of a HOUSEHOLDcan connect to both networks simultaneously. In an environment that hasboth networks in use, it is assumed that at least one device in a systemis connected to both as a bridging device, thus providing bridgingservices between wired/wireless networks for others. The zone player 606in FIG. 6 is shown to be connected to both networks, for example. Theconnectivity to the network 612 is based on Ethernet while theconnectivity to other devices 602, 604 and 608 is based on Wireless. Itis understood, however, that in some embodiments each zone player 606,604, 602 may access the Internet when retrieving media from the cloud(e.g., Internet) via the bridging device. For example, zone player 602may contain a uniform resource locator (URL) that specifies an addressto a particular audio track in the cloud. Using the URL, the zone player602 may retrieve the audio track from the cloud, and ultimately play theaudio out of one or more zone players.

VI. Example Player/Zone Naming and Configuration

Certain embodiments provide simplicity, modularity, and control of amultimedia playback network. Certain embodiments provide various optionsfor a user to add and/or name a new player and/or zone to a multimediaplayback system regardless of a number of different configurationoptions that exist due to the flexible/modular nature of the multimediasystem. In certain examples, a user can start with one device and expandvia one or more configuration options. In certain examples, playbackdevices can be paired to each other, grouped, and/or added to a zone.Such a zone having more than one player may be referred to as a bondedzone. In certain embodiments, certain input made by the user and/or theenvironment in which the playback device resides helps drill down thename and/or use of the player and/or zone.

Certain embodiments provide an audio system including playback devicesthat can be paired with one another to form a stereo pair or a hometheater pairing. Playback devices can be grouped to form largercomponents of speakers. Playback devices can be added to a zone and playthe same as another player in the zone (such as one or more of zones102-124 illustrated in FIG. 1). A playback device (also referred to as aplayer) can be a subwoofer, and so on. Given this complex environment,there is no simple control mechanism to add a playback device to thesystem. When a playback device is added to a system, the user isprovided with a choice of in which room to use the playback device. Allavailable preset or “canned” room names are listed, but any names thatcurrently in use to identify a room, zone, and so on, are replaced bysimilar names with numerical identifiers (e.g., Living Room 2), forexample.

In some embodiments, a list or set of available options for zoneplacement and/or zone name can be navigated (e.g., drilled down) andexplored based on one or more criterion including a zone chosen, a typeof playback device added, and what playback device(s) exist in thatzone. For example, if an unused room name is selected, the new playbackdevice is to be added as a standalone room. If a room name that isalready being used by some other component(s) with which the new playercannot be integrated is selected, the new playback device is added as astandalone room with a numerical identifier (e.g., Living Room 2).

For a wireless speaker device (e.g., a Sonos™ PLAY:1 or PLAY:3), forexample, if a room is selected that corresponds to a home theater withno surround speakers (or with one surround speaker that matches thenewly added player), the user has an option to set up the newly addedplayer in the home theater. If the user declines that option, the newlyadded player is added as a standalone room with a numerical identifier(e.g., Living Room 2).

For a wireless speaker device (e.g., a Sonos™ PLAY:1, PLAY:3, orPLAY:5), for example, if the user selects a room that corresponds to asingle player that matches the newly added player, the user has anoption to set up a stereo pair. If the user declines that option, thenewly added player is added as a standalone room with a numericalidentifier (e.g., Living Room 2).

In certain embodiments, when a playback speaker device is added to thesystem (e.g., plugged in), the system recognizes what the speaker is(e.g., Play:1, Play:3, Play:5 and so on). Because the system canrecognize what the player is, that information along with what roomchoice the user first chooses informs a subsequent workflow.

In some embodiments, options zone placement/zone name can be drilleddown or otherwise navigated by a user based on what compatible playersare within earshot of the new player. For example, if a playback deviceis plugged in to a wall outlet for power, the system can then determinewhere the player resides in the household or area. If no existingplayers are within ear shot (e.g., approximately twenty feet), then thesystem can continue as discussed above (e.g., as a standalone room,standalone room with numerical identifier, home theater, stereo pair,and so on). However, if an existing player is within ear shot, then thesystem can drill down based on that information. For example, in a hometheater context, if a sound bar has been added to the living room andnow a speaker playback device (e.g., a Sonos™ Play:1) is added, thesystem can determine that the speaker device is within ear shot of thesound bar and is also compatible with the sound bar. Therefore, theinterface can ask if the speaker device will be in the Living roomand/or can ask if the speaker device will be a surround speaker to thesound bar and so on until the player is successfully added to thesystem. The iterative query process can simply and quickly allow the setup of the new player to the existing playback system. In certainembodiments, the system can determine whether a player is within earshot based on network latency (e.g., ping players and look at responsetimes to determine players that are close enough). The system caninclude a microphone that can also be used to send and receive audibleor inaudible signals, infrared (IR), cameras, and so on.

Certain embodiments prioritize or otherwise reorder options to placemore likely room names/zones to the top of the list. For example, if asubwoofer is plugged in and is close to a speaker device (e.g., Sonos™Play:3) stereo pair, then it is likely that the subwoofer will be pairedwith the stereo pair speakers. The room name where the stereo pairspeakers reside can be listed at the top of the list versus asking theuser if the subwoofer will be paired with the stereo pair speakers.

In certain embodiments, the user is not asked for a location of a newplayback device because location identification can be doneautomatically depending on pairing, for example. For instance, asubwoofer is added and paired to an existing speaker device (e.g.,Sonos™ Play:3) stereo pair, and the subwoofer is auto added to the roomwith which the stereo pair speakers are already associated.

In some embodiments, available options for zone placement can be drilleddown or otherwise navigated based on what player is added and whatcompatible players already exist in the household. For example, a listof options may start with a zone that is a likely choice (e.g., asubwoofer is likely to join a satellite, a satellite is likely to join asoundbar, and so on).

For example, if a player is a wireless speaker device (a Sonos™ Play:1,for example), which is typically a satellite speaker and a user plugs inthe speaker device to get power, then the system may determine that asound bar also exists in the household (in the Living room, forexample). Then, the system can start with the Living Room (e.g., thesystem can ask the user if the Play:1™ is to be added as a satellite inthe Living Room), or the Living Room option may be put on top of a listof rooms to select. In this embodiment, the system helps drill downwhere to place the player based on what the player is and based on whatthe user already has (e.g., not necessarily whether the player is withinear shot).

In certain embodiments, if a user selects to pair the new player to anexisting player, then the room is auto-populated with the name of as thesame room in which the existing player is located. There is no need toenter the room name twice.

In certain embodiments, the system can automatically identify a roomname for a location of an added device (e.g., according to one or moreexamples described above. In certain embodiments, a user can override anautomated system determination of location name.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method 700 to identify or name aplayback device in a playback network. At block 710, a set of availableoptions for zone placement or zone name are displayed for usernavigation. For example, a list of available zone (e.g., room) names isprovided for a user to scroll through and select. At block 720, the setof options may be tailored based on one or more criterion including zoneselected, type of playback device added, existing device(s) in theselected zone, and so on. In certain embodiments, the playback devicemay be automatically identified and used to tailor options forselection.

At block 730, a new playback device can be added as a standalone zone(e.g., room). For example, if an unused room name is selected, a newzone player can be added as a standalone room. Alternatively, at block740, a new playback device can be added as a standalone room with anumerical identifier. For example, if a selected room name is already inuse but the added device is not integrated with existing component(s),then the device can be added as a Room Name Number (e.g., Living Room2).

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a method 800 to identify or name aplayback device in a playback network. At block 810, a local network isanalyzed to identify playback devices within a certain range of a newplayback device location. For example, the local network is analyzed toidentify existing devices on the network that are within earshot of thenew device to be added. At block 820, if an existing device is withinrange of the new device, then, at block 830, compatibility of the newdevice with the existing device is determined. If the new device iscompatible with the existing device, the new device location name cancorrespond to the existing device name (e.g., either exactly or LivingRoom 2 where the original device is Living Room 1, and so on). At block840, if no existing devices are within range of the new device, thennaming with respect to the new device continues as described above withrespect to FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of a method 900 to identify or name aplayback device in a playback network. At block 910, a playback networktopology is retrieved to identify whether a new device is being pairedwith an existing device on the local playback network. At block 920, ifthe new device is being paired with an existing device, then the newdevice is named automatically based on the name of the existing device(and/or existing device location or zone).

At block 930, if the new device is not being paired with an existingdevice, then likely names are automatically provided based on a type ofdevice being added and existing compatible device(s) already on thelocal playback network. Options and/or a selected name can beauto-populated based on existing device(s) in the same location, forexample. At block 940, a user can override an automatic or defaultselected name, for example.

Various inventions have been described in sufficient detail with acertain degree of particularity. It is understood to those skilled inthe art that the present disclosure of embodiments has been made by wayof examples only and that numerous changes in the arrangement andcombination of parts can be resorted without departing from the spiritand scope of the present disclosure as claimed. While the embodimentsdiscussed herein can appear to include some limitations as to thepresentation of the information units, in terms of the format andarrangement, the embodiments have applicability well beyond suchembodiment, which can be appreciated by those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by theappended claims rather than the forgoing description of embodiments.

1. A computing device comprising: one or more processors; a tangible,non-transitory computer-readable memory; and program instructions storedin the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory, wherein theprogram instructions are executable by the one or more processors suchthat the computing device is configured to: after receiving data from afirst playback device indicating one or more characteristics of thefirst playback device and receiving data from a second playback deviceindicating one or more characteristics of the second playback device,determine that the first playback device is compatible to join thesecond playback device in a stereo pair based on the one or morecharacteristics of the first playback device and the one or morecharacteristics of the second playback device; after determining thatthe first playback device is compatible to join the second playbackdevice in the stereo pair, cause a graphical user interface associatedwith the computing device to display a prompt that indicates that thefirst playback device is compatible to join the second playback devicein the stereo pair; after causing the graphical user interface todisplay the prompt, receiving, via the graphical user interface, acommand to create a stereo pair comprising the first playback device andthe second playback device; and after receiving the command to createthe stereo pair, configure the first playback device and the secondplayback device to playback audio content in a stereo pair where thefirst playback device plays at least a first stereo channel of the audiocontent and the second playback device plays at least a second stereochannel of the audio content, wherein the first stereo channel isdifferent from the second stereo channel.
 2. The computing device ofclaim 1, wherein the program instructions comprise further programinstructions executable by the one or more processors such that thecomputing device is further configured to: receive via the graphicaluser interface, an input to cause the first playback device and thesecond playback device to playback first audio content in the stereopair; and transmit to at least one of the first playback device and thesecond playback device, a message indicating a uniform resource locatorcorresponding to the first audio content to cause the first playbackdevice and the second playback device to playback the first audiocontent in the stereo pair.
 3. The computing device of claim 1, whereinthe program instructions executable by the one or more processors suchthat the computing device is configured to configure the first playbackdevice and the second playback device to playback audio content in thestereo pair comprise program instructions executable by the one or moreprocessors such that the computing device is configured to: configurethe first playback device to playback one of a left or right channelcomponent of the audio content; and configure the second playback deviceto playback the other of the left or right channel component of theaudio content.
 4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the programinstructions executable by the one or more processors such that thecomputing device is configured to configure the first playback deviceand the second playback device to playback audio content in the stereopair comprise program instructions executable by the one or moreprocessors such that the computing device is configured to: afterreceiving, via the graphical user interface, a user input comprising astereo pair name for the stereo pair that is different than a name ofone of the first playback device or the second playback device,configure the stereo pair to have the stereo pair name.
 5. The computingdevice of claim 1, wherein the first playback device and the secondplayback device are both a same type of playback device.
 6. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the stereo pair has a stereo pairname corresponding to a room in which the first playback device and thesecond playback device are located.
 7. The computing device of claim 1,wherein the program instructions executable by the one or moreprocessors such that the computing device is configured to configure thefirst playback device and the second playback device to playback audiocontent in the stereo pair comprise program instructions executable bythe one or more processors such that the computing device is configuredto: configure the first playback device and second playback device toadjust volume levels together in response to commands to adjust volumelevels of the stereo pair.
 8. The computing device of claim 1, whereinthe program instructions comprise further program instructionsexecutable by the one or more processors such that the computing deviceis further configured to: after receiving data from a third playbackdevice indicating one or more characteristics of the third playbackdevice, determine that the first playback device and the second playbackdevice are compatible to join the third playback device in a hometheater configuration based on the one or more characteristics of thefirst playback device, the one or more characteristics of the secondplayback device, and the one or more characteristics of the thirdplayback device; after determining that the first playback device andsecond playback device are compatible to join the third playback devicein the home theater configuration, cause a graphical user interfaceassociated with the computing device to display a prompt that indicatesthat the first playback device and second playback device compatible tojoin the third playback device in the home theater configuration; aftercausing the graphical user interface to display the prompt, receiving,via the graphical user interface, a command to create a home theaterconfiguration comprising the first playback device, the second playbackdevice, and the third playback device; and after receiving the commandto create the home theater configuration, configure the first playbackdevice, the second playback device, and the third playback device toplayback audio content in a home theater configuration where the firstplayback device, the second playback device, and the third playbackdevice are configured to play different channels of home theater audiocontent.
 9. Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprisingprogram instructions that, when executed by one or more processors,cause a computing device to perform functions comprising: afterreceiving data from a first playback device indicating one or morecharacteristics of the first playback device and receiving data from asecond playback device indicating one or more characteristics of thesecond playback device, determining that the first playback device iscompatible to join the second playback device in a stereo pair based onthe one or more characteristics of the first playback device and the oneor more characteristics of the second playback device; after determiningthat the first playback device is compatible to join the second playbackdevice in the stereo pair, causing a graphical user interface associatedwith the computing device to display a prompt that indicates that thefirst playback device is compatible to join the second playback devicein the stereo pair; after causing the graphical user interface todisplay the prompt, receiving, via the graphical user interface, acommand to create a stereo pair comprising the first playback device andthe second playback device; and after receiving the command to createthe stereo pair, configuring the first playback device and the secondplayback device to playback audio content in a stereo pair where thefirst playback device plays at least a first stereo channel of the audiocontent and the second playback device plays at least a second stereochannel of the audio content, wherein the first stereo channel isdifferent from the second stereo channel.
 10. The tangible,non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the functionsfurther comprise: receiving via the graphical user interface, an inputto cause the first playback device and the second playback device toplayback first audio content in the stereo pair; and transmitting to atleast one of the first playback device and the second playback device, amessage indicating a uniform resource locator corresponding to the firstaudio content to cause the first playback device and the second playbackdevice to playback the first audio content in the stereo pair.
 11. Thetangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, whereinconfiguring the first playback device and the second playback device toplayback audio content in the stereo pair comprise comprises:configuring the first playback device to playback one of a left or rightchannel component of the audio content; and configuring the secondplayback device to playback the other of the left or right channelcomponent of the audio content.
 12. The tangible, non-transitorycomputer-readable media of claim 9, wherein configuring the firstplayback device and the second playback device to playback audio contentin the stereo pair comprises: after receiving, via the graphical userinterface, a user input comprising a stereo pair name for the stereopair that is different than a name of one of the first playback deviceor the second playback device, configuring the stereo pair to have thestereo pair name.
 13. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 9, wherein the first playback device and the secondplayback device are both a same type of playback device.
 14. Thetangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein thestereo pair has a stereo pair name corresponding to a room in which thefirst playback device and the second playback device are located. 15.The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, whereinconfiguring the first playback device and the second playback device toplayback audio content in the stereo pair comprises: configuring thefirst playback device and second playback device to adjust volume levelstogether in response to commands to adjust volume levels of the stereopair.
 16. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim9, wherein the functions further comprise: after receiving data from athird playback device indicating one or more characteristics of thethird playback device, determining that the first playback device andthe second playback device are compatible to join the third playbackdevice in a home theater configuration based on the one or morecharacteristics of the first playback device, the one or morecharacteristics of the second playback device, and the one or morecharacteristics of the third playback device; after determining that thefirst playback device and second playback device are compatible to jointhe third playback device in the home theater configuration, causing agraphical user interface associated with the computing device to displaya prompt that indicates that the first playback device and secondplayback device compatible to join the third playback device in a hometheater configuration; after causing the graphical user interface todisplay the prompt, receiving, via the graphical user interface, acommand to create a home theater configuration comprising the firstplayback device, the second playback device, and the third playbackdevice; and after receiving the command to create the home theaterconfiguration, configuring the first playback device, the secondplayback device, and the third playback device to playback audio contentin a home theater configuration where the first playback device, thesecond playback device, and the third playback device are configured toplay different channels of home theater audio content.
 17. A systemcomprising: a first playback device; and a computing device comprising:a first one or more processors; a first tangible, non-transitorycomputer-readable memory; and first program instructions stored in thefirst tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory, wherein thefirst program instructions are executable by the first one or moreprocessors such that the computing device is configured to: afterreceiving data from the first playback device indicating one or morecharacteristics of the first playback device and receiving data from asecond playback device indicating one or more characteristics of thesecond playback device, determine that the first playback device iscompatible to join the second playback device in a stereo pair based onthe one or more characteristics of the first playback device and the oneor more characteristics of the second playback device; after determiningthat the first playback device is compatible to join the second playbackdevice in the stereo pair, cause a graphical user interface associatedwith the computing device to display a prompt that indicates that thefirst playback device is compatible to join the second playback devicein the stereo pair; after causing the graphical user interface todisplay the prompt, receiving, via the graphical user interface, acommand to create a stereo pair comprising the first playback device andthe second playback device; and after receiving the command to createthe stereo pair, configure the first playback device and the secondplayback device to playback audio content in a stereo pair where thefirst playback device plays at least a first stereo channel of the audiocontent and the second playback device plays at least a second stereochannel of the audio content, wherein the first stereo channel isdifferent from the second stereo channel.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein the first program instructions comprise further programinstructions executable by the first one or more processors such thatthe computing device is further configured to: after receiving data froma third playback device indicating one or more characteristics of thethird playback device, determine that the first playback device and thesecond playback device are compatible to join the third playback devicein a home theater configuration based on the one or more characteristicsof the first playback device, the one or more characteristics of thesecond playback device, and the one or more characteristics of the thirdplayback device; after determining that the first playback device andsecond playback device are compatible to join the third playback devicein the home theater configuration, cause a graphical user interfaceassociated with the computing device to display a prompt that indicatesthat the first playback device and second playback device compatible tojoin the third playback device in a home theater configuration; aftercausing the graphical user interface to display the prompt, receive, viathe graphical user interface, a command to create a home theaterconfiguration comprising the first playback device, the second playbackdevice, and the third playback device; and after receiving the commandto create the home theater configuration, configure the first playbackdevice, the second playback device, and the third playback device toplayback audio content in a home theater configuration where the firstplayback device, the second playback device, and the third playbackdevice are configured to play different channels of home theater audiocontent.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the first playback devicecomprises: a second one or more processors; a second tangible,non-transitory computer-readable memory; and second program instructionsstored in the second tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory,wherein the second program instructions are executable by the second oneor more processors such that the first playback device is configured to:provide, to the computing device, data indicating one or morecharacteristics of the first playback device; after receiving one ormore commands from the computing device to configure the first playbackdevice to playback audio content in a stereo pair with the secondplayback device, operate in the stereo pair with the second playbackdevice where the first playback device plays at least the first stereochannel of the audio content and the second playback device plays atleast the second stereo channel of the audio content, wherein the firststereo channel is different from the second stereo channel.
 20. A methodperformed by a computing device, the method comprising: after receivingdata from a first playback device indicating one or more characteristicsof the first playback device and receiving data from a second playbackdevice indicating one or more characteristics of the second playbackdevice, determining that the first playback device is compatible to jointhe second playback device in a stereo pair based on the one or morecharacteristics of the first playback device and the one or morecharacteristics of the second playback device; after determining thatthe first playback device is compatible to join the second playbackdevice in the stereo pair, causing a graphical user interface associatedwith the computing device to display a prompt that indicates that thefirst playback device is compatible to join the second playback devicein the stereo pair; after causing the graphical user interface todisplay the prompt, receiving, via the graphical user interface, acommand to create a stereo pair comprising the first playback device andthe second playback device; and after receiving the command to createthe stereo pair, configuring the first playback device and the secondplayback device to playback audio content in a stereo pair where thefirst playback device plays at least a first stereo channel of the audiocontent and the second playback device plays at least a second stereochannel of the audio content, wherein the first stereo channel isdifferent from the second stereo channel.